SkylerSep 13, 2023
M. Verdone

Fun fact about Microsoft #Windows: if you type Ctrl-Shift-Alt-Win-L, LinkedIn will open in your default browser. This is an OS hotkey that cannot be turned off.

I know this reads like a joke but it isn't.

Sep 12, 2023 at 5:40amWeb
Show threadnevSep 12, 2023

@sixohsix not working for me on Windows (Win 10 Home, 19045.3324). Thought it might be bc I'm using Canadian English, or my custom keyboard layout that adds some Linux-like Compose key sequences, but switching to US English & built-in US QWERTY layout doesn't change anything.

I'm somewhat disappointed 😐

Show threadM. VerdoneSep 12, 2023
@nev hmm, that is really strange. What model of keyboard do you have? Maybe that combination of modifiers doesn't work because it's a very unusual feature. Does it print an "L"? Or do anything?
Show threadnevSep 13, 2023

@sixohsix update: hooked up a different keyboard (a wireless Lenovo one, full layout) and it worked!!! Custom keyboard layout and all. Guess it was just the one I was using (no-name somewhat less-than-full USB one).

Amazing. Brings me even closer to installing Linux on this box.

Show threadMick Pyro Official Sep 14, 2023
@nev @sixohsix worked on french win10 pro (with fr keyboard layout)
edit: saw you've got it working
Show threadbenSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix Wow. The reason seems to be that they've sold keyboards with an "Office" modifier key that in reality only corresponds to Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Win.
Show threadCassandra is only carbon nowSep 12, 2023
@sqrt2 @sixohsix For me, that keystroke opened up https://www.linkedin.com/?trk=Officekey, which definitely seems to confirm that.
LinkedIn: Log In or Sign Up

1 billion members | Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access knowledge, insights and opportunities.

LinkedIn
Show threadLeonie SiegerSep 13, 2023
@sqrt2 @sixohsix What else is this key good for then?
Show threadbenSep 13, 2023
@leoniensieger @sixohsix Launching other Microsoft services in your browser 🤷
Show threadjonathankoren™Sep 13, 2023
@sqrt2 @sixohsix is this the same old “menu” key that was added along with the two Windows keys when keyboards expanded from 101 to 104 keys back when Win95 was released? I can’t find that weird rectangle key anymore.
Show threadbenSep 13, 2023
@jonathankoren @sixohsix No, different key. Like you say, the menu key geniuine, one of the system/appliaction keys in the 104/105 key layout, and doesn't trigger this short cut.
Show threaddanimrichSep 14, 2023

@sqrt2
Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Win+...
W = Word
P = PowerPoint
O = Outlook
X = Excel
T = Teams
(no other key) = MS 365

The order in which the modifier keys are pressed doesn't matter.

@sixohsix

Show threadTomas EkeliSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix that .. is horrible! i didn't believe it, until i tried it!
Show threadSimonSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix what. the. actual. fuck. You’re not even kidding. 🤮
Show threadAmadeus MaximilianSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix surprised it doesn't open in Edge no matter what your default is. 😅
Show threadMacSlowSep 13, 2023
@amxmln @sixohsix don't give them ideas 😄
Show threadclock 🕰Sep 12, 2023

@sixohsix Oh FFS...

I take it all back. Windows is always disappointing and still has surprises.

Show threadPatrick H. LaukeSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix https://www.howtogeek.com/816348/did-you-know-shiftctrlaltwinl-opens-linkedin-on-windows/#:~:text=So%20when%20you%20press%20Shift,networking%20site%20owned%20by%20Microsoft.
Show threadHans BoldtSep 12, 2023

@patrick_h_lauke @sixohsix Holy cow, I've been out of the loop! Microsoft has been adding even more special keys to the keyboard, while I'm still using a 30 year old IBM Model M keyboard.

https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/11/20909475/microsoft-office-key-emoji-key-keyboards

Microsoft has dedicated Office and emoji keys on its new keyboards

Microsoft’s latest keyboards come with new Office and emoji keys. The Office key can launch a hub for Microsoft’s productivity apps, or shortcuts to apps like Excel, Word, and more. The emoji key launches Windows 10’s emoji picker

The Verge
Show threadJordan “Yordan” WightSep 12, 2023
@patrick_h_lauke Oh wow, that would explain how my cat was somehow able to open Teams on my laptop after walking across my keyboard despite me never using it before.
Show threadWhirlwind Sep 14, 2023
Little Whirlwind went sightseeing in Germany today 🇩🇪
Show threadDaniel, aka. CactiChameleon9Sep 12, 2023
@sixohsix At least its the default browser 🫣🙄
Show threadAndrĂŠ PolykanineSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix There are more of them: Try O, for example, with all these modifiers.
Show threadxmlns="Dan"Sep 12, 2023

@sixohsix I didn't believe it until I tried it... truly we live in hell.

Windows 11 would be a fantastic OS if it weren't for the ads and crap all over it.

Show threadJade (personyal)Sep 12, 2023
@sixohsix wait what
Show threadJesse VincentSep 12, 2023

@sixohsix This is shocking and unbelievable.

You’re telling me it respects your default browser setting and doesn’t force it open in Edge?

Show threadTormod HaugenSep 12, 2023

@sixohsix Threw this info at my coworkers, and some reported that new MS keyboards have an "office" key, which map to Shift+Ctrl+Alt+Win -- so Office+L for LinkedIn, Y for Yammer, T for teams etc.

( https://www.weston-tech.com/blog/did-you-know-shiftctrlaltwinl-opens-linkedin-on-windows/ )

Did You Know Shift+Ctrl+Alt+Win+L Opens LinkedIn on Windows? - Weston Technology Solutions

We like keyboard shortcuts as they will help speed up your work habits if you can learn some of them. We're not sure how useful this is.

Weston Technology Solutions
Show threadKingDeadSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix holy shit that works, but why? No one is going to hold down all those keys for a shortcut outside of someone mentioning it like you did or if a cat is walking on the keyboard.
Show threadnevSep 12, 2023
@KingDeadWolf @sixohsix on LinkedIn, nobody knows you're a cat
Show threadMaeSep 12, 2023

@KingDeadWolf @sixohsix this article explains https://www.howtogeek.com/816348/did-you-know-shiftctrlaltwinl-opens-linkedin-on-windows

tl;dr microsoft introduced a special office key, that would open linkedin if you pressed “office+l”. For compatibility the office key is actually sending “Shift+Ctrl+Alt+Windows”

Show threadAvisJay Sep 12, 2023

@KingDeadWolf @sixohsix As far as I understand, Microsoft tried to introduce a dedicated Office Key, that allows users to quickly open certain applications. And Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Win is the Code the Keyboard would send if this key was pressed. Combined with "L" it's a shortcut for opening LinkedIn.
"W" opens Word, "T" Teams, etc.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/using-the-office-key-df8665d3-761b-4a16-84b8-2cfb830e6aff

Using the Office Key - Microsoft Support

Show threadSoulfire Jarexi Backblaze ΘΔSep 12, 2023
Apparently this is the Office Key
Using the Office Key - Microsoft Support

Show threadTvorskSep 12, 2023

@soulfire @sixohsix Yeeep.

And it also means that the four modifier keys pressed and released ("office key" alone) will either launch your 365 hub app or a web browser going to microsoft explanation page saying the hub app is not installed.

All those combos are implemented in explorer.exe, but then it generally launches stuff via an URL-handler (ms-officeapp:// if I recall correctly?) which can be overridden in the registry to some harmless exe that'll not know what to do with the parameters. I tend to point it to rundll32 because lazy.

Show threadAjax B. CorianderSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix this is the kind of stuff you can only learn from mastodon XD
Show threadLunya  Sep 12, 2023
@sixohsix the reason for this is that, on some Microsoft keyboards, they added a dedicated key for office. You can press it + the first letter of office apps, or LinkedIn too for some reason, to open the corresponding app. But because there aren't any unused modifier keys, they made the key simulating Ctrl+shift+alt+win and registered the shortcuts on every windows install instead of realizing that this is awful if they don't at least add an option to disable it
Show threadGraham Sutherland / PolynomialSep 12, 2023
@luna @sixohsix I still don't understand why the HID spec hasn't seen an update to allow extended modifier keys for supporting hosts. that 8-bit field is really outdated.
Show thread🇸​🇭​🇮Sep 13, 2023
@luna @sixohsix while it's true there aren't any unused modifier keys left, there are twelve perfectly fine function keys practically no piece of software (or keyboard other than weird nerds' QMK layouts) use 🤔
Show threadRipp (Old Account ➡ Chitter)Sep 14, 2023
@shi @luna @sixohsix I bound my mouse keypad to to them so I can use them for global program shortcuts without fear of collosions
Show thread🇸​🇭​🇮Sep 14, 2023
@ripp_ @luna @sixohsix Similarly I have two keys on my modifier row that are tap dances for F13-F17 and F18-F22 respectively and pressed together send a F23 and use them for exactly the same thing :) Very convenient and surprisingly compatible.
Show threadArtair Geal  Sep 12, 2023
@sixohsix This and many more reasons are why I use a WaaP (Windows as a Pariah) model.
Show threadexuSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix What the hell?? Why M$??
Show threadChristian SeilerSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix that's not a hotkey - thats a workplace safety hazard
Show threadUrsidinoj/The BjornsdottirsSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix That's just the pizza key with extra steps
Show threadfops Now On Merping Synth DownloadSep 12, 2023

@sixohsix that was for some oddball keyboard they made or something and they just made it emulate a keybind noone would press and uh

hardcoded that into windows i guess 😭

Show threadWill is too honest to be an MPSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix I was SO hoping you were having us on, but sadly it's true! Urgh!
Show threadGothPandaSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix What in the actual fuck?!
Show threadFoeclanSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix At least it uses your default browser, not Edge? :)
Show threadRHZeroSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix how does that impact your day to day activities? does it impede any workflows?
Show threadnonobstant Sep 12, 2023
@sixohsix just tested it and 
Show threadJeremy MallinSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix Yikes! He's not kidding. 🤯 😠
Show threadmccSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix Tested this on Windows 10 and the key combination opened an installer for "Office 365", something which had to my knowledge previously not been installed on my computer.
Show threadJamesBSep 12, 2023
@mcc @sixohsix I've just had it do both of those, all in the background rather than the foreground. This is shit. Not that I'd ever generally press that particular combination of keys but still.
Show threadit's Kanbaru again 🌟Sep 12, 2023
@mw1cgg @mcc @sixohsix wow it really does both. but with a significant delay on opening the installer, for me. microsoft what are you doing
Show thread[ Jer moved instances ]Sep 12, 2023
@mcc @sixohsix I just tried it on Windows 11 and both those things happened lol
Show threadferunandoSep 12, 2023
@mcc @sixohsix i don't even anymore. meanwhile, virtual desktops gets more junky every update. used to be my favourite windows feature.
Show threadJo ShieldsSep 12, 2023
@mcc @sixohsix I think this is the dirty implementation specifics of https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/using-the-office-key-df8665d3-761b-4a16-84b8-2cfb830e6aff?ui=en-us&rs=en-us&ad=us
Using the Office Key - Microsoft Support

Show threadSolarbird Sep 12, 2023
@mcc @sixohsix so it’s a competition for finding the biggest lose is what you’re saying
Show threadExandraSep 14, 2023

@mcc @sixohsix that's how that happens? So often for me I'm fighting a troll with a viking bow and arrow or whatnot and suddenly, valheim is interrupted by Office 365 pop up.

Troll wins again.

Show threadBee O'Problem Sep 12, 2023
@sixohsix Thanks, I hate it
Show threadacbSep 12, 2023
@sixohsix @mcc On macOS, meanwhile, this combination shows the Ted Lasso trailer
Show threadaviSep 12, 2023

@sixohsix This is for the “Office Key” on specific Microsoft keyboards.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/using-the-office-key-df8665d3-761b-4a16-84b8-2cfb830e6aff

Instead of mapping the Office key to a hidden button, they mapped it to a Ctrl-Shift-Alt-Win.

Using the Office Key - Microsoft Support